Solderless connecter



Sept. 28, 1937. J. G. JACKSON ET Al. 2,094,404

soLDERLEss CONNECTER Filed Feb. 19, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTORS N imG. Jaa/Kaon Wal/ace. /7-1/9//6'41 ATTORNEYS sept; 28, 1937o J. G.JACKSON ET AL SOLDERLEss CONNECTER Filed Feb. 19, 1934 2 SheelZS-Shee- 2INVENTOR: J/l (heksen /a//'cc [r4/A?" Y ML( )Y l l ATTORNEYJ PatentedSept. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE soLDEaLEss CONNECTER JohnG.AJackson and Wallace T. Allen, Detroit, Mich., assignors to Square DCompany, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application February19, 1934, Serial No. 712,068

' 10 claims. `(ci. 173-324) This invention relates generally toelectrical equipment and refers more particularly to a solderlessconnecter for electric current carrying parts or conductors. v Y v Oneof the essential lobjects of the invention is to provide as a substitutefor the usual solder lugs employed in electrical equipment a solderlessconnecter that is not only electrically as good and mechanically assecure as such lugs, but that embodies a number of improvements andadvantageous features.

In many instances Where cable terminal connecters are required, as inmeter test blocks, it has been necessary to use additional parts inconjunction with the solder lugs as attaching means for test clips sothat the required temporary connections to external circuits could bemade. Actually, such additional parts necessitate the usey of morematerial and assembly operations, hence they add t`o the cost ofmanufacturing such devices. `fThey also take up space which couldotherwise be used for otherpurposes.

As a. result, such lugs and/or additional parts have not ,only yprovenunsatisfactory but objectionable. Therefore, it is another object of thepresent invention to provide a connecter that is notronly solderless,but hasv as la part thereof suitable means for attachment of testclipsand' in the body of the connecter is provided with alignedtransverse openings for the reception of a wire or the strands of anelectric cable and is hollow for the reception of a clamping nut.

Another object isto provide a connecter wherein the wire orA strands ofthe cable are held in the body against the stud, and the body is heldagainst the electric conductor to which the stu is attached by the nuton the stud.

Another object is to provide a connecter wherein the aligned openings inthe body are shaped to direct the wire or strands of the cable towardand against the stud so as to insure a positive and firm connectionbetween the parts when the nut is tightened.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of thisinvention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds,especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein;

Another object is to provide a connecter where- I Figure 1 is a frontelevation of electric-al equipment including solderless connectersembodying p our invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the strap conductors andshowing a solderless connecter embodying our invention applied thereto;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 3--3 of Figure2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 4--4 of Figure3;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the line5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through a slightly modified formof body;

Figure 7 is a Vertical sectional view similar -to Figure 3, but showinganother modification;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the body illustrated in Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view similar to Figure 8, but showing aslightly modified construction;

Figure 10 is a perspective View of another modiiication; l

Figure 1l is a vertical sectional view throug the structure illustratedin Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the conductor bar illustrated inFigures l and 11;

Figure 13 is a top plan View of a test block and associated partsillustrating another modification;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of `the constructionillustrated in Figure 13;

Figure l is a vertical sectional View through the constructionillustrated in Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on the lineI-i of Figure l5;

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 13, but

v showing another modification;

projecting endwise from the upper ends of the links l to the meter, andE are strap conductors projecting endwise from the lower ends of thelinks i and carrying connecters F embodying our invention. As shown,each strap conductor E carries a connecter F and each connecter F servesasa terminal for the strands l! of a suitable electric cable G.Preferably, each connecter F illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 comprises astud 3, a. hollow body 4 and a clamping nut 5. The head 6 of the stud isslotted as at 'l and is located beneath the strap .conductor E, whilethe shank 8 is exteriorly threaded and extends through and upwardlyabove the strap conductor E. The nut 5 is mounted on the shank 8 of thestud and is preferably cylindrical in conguration. Preferably, this nuthas a transversely extending slot 9 in its upper end for the receptionof a screw driver or the like .(not shown) by which it may be adjustedon the stud. The body 4 is preferably tubular in form and is sleeved onthe nut 5. As shown, the body 4 is provided at diametrically oppositepoints thereof substantially lmidway of its ends with circular openingsl for the reception of the strands 2 of the electric cable G.

In use, the cable strands 2 straddle the stud shank 8 and are receivedin both openings l0. Inasmuch as the openings I0 receiving said strandsare circular, it is apparent that such strands will be directed inwardlytoward and against the stud shank 8 by the curved edges ll of saidopenings when the nut is tightened. Hence, the strands will not only beheld tightly against the stud shank 8, but also against the edges il ofthe openings in the body 5. In this] connection, it will also be notedthat the engage: ment of the nut 5 with the strands 2 in the openings |0in the body will serve to hold the body sleeved upon the nut and firmlyagainst the strap conductor E. Thus, an extremely rm and positiveconnection between the parts is provided. In fact, our construction issuch that it will function just as eiciently to hold one or a number ofwires or strands. In either instance, the wire or strands will be forcedagainst the stud 3 and. the body il will be forced against the strapconductor E. Actually, electrical measurements of the conductivity ofthe connection effected by our solderless connecter are considerablybetter than those of the usual solder lugs. Moreover, decidedly lessspace is occupied by ourvconnecter. Preferably the length of the nut 5relative to the length of the body d is such that a portion i2 of thenut projects upwardly above the upper end of the body l when the nut istightened, and said projecting portion l2 is preferably ,provided with aperipheral groove or slot I3 which may be engaged by the teeth or jawsof suitable test clips (not shown) when it is desired to test the meterA.

In Figure 6, we have illustrated a slight modification in which thetubular body 4 is provided at its lower end with an inturned flange 20which, when the parts are assembled, is disposed beneath the lower endof the nut 5 and prevents accidental displacement of said body when freeof the cable wire or strands.

In Figures 7 and 8, we have illustrated another modication in which thebody 4a is U-shaped instead of tubular. In this construction oppositesides 32 and 33 respectively of the body are substantially parallel andhave aligned circular openings 34 and 35 respectively therein forreceiving the strands 2 of the electric cable. 'I'he bfase 36 of the Uhas a circular hole 31 that receives the shank 8 of the stud 3, and thenut 5 is adjustable on the stud between the side walls 32 and 33 of theU to effect the proper connection between the parts.

Irl Figure 9, we have illustrated another modification in which thesides40 and 4| respectively vsuitable copper meter connecter links ll.

In Figures to 12, inclusive, we have illustrated another modificationwherein the copper strap conductor E' has a substantially U-shapedportion 50 on the stud 3 Within a U-shaped body 5| of steel andcooperating with a nut 52 on the stud for clamping the cable wires orstrands 53. As shown, the stud 3 and nut 52 correspond to the nut 5 andstud 3 respectively. Preferably thegbase 54 of the U-shaped portion 50rests at upon the base 55 of the U-shaped body 5|, while opposite sides56 and 5l respectively of the U- shaped portion 50 are provided atopposite edges 58 and 59 respectively of the base 55 and havesubstantially V-shaped recesses 60 and 6| respectively in their upperedges for the reception of the cable wires 53. Thus-when the nut 52 istightened, the wires 53 will be urged toward the stud 3' and will beclamped rmly against the inclined edge portions 62 and 83 respectivelyforming the sides of the V-shaped recesses 60 and 6|.

In Figures 13 to 16, inclusive, we have illustrated another modicationin which a test clip l0 of conducting material has a substantially flatportion ll sleeved on a stud 12 of steel and serving as a washer forclamping engagement with the cable wires 13. In this construction therearevfour studs such as 12 serving as terminals for the wires of fourcables 14 and anchored in a test block 'l5 in substantially parallelrelation to four studs I8 of steel constituting terminals for Suitablenuts l8 and lg respectively of conducting material are employed forholding the test clips 'l0 and links 'll respectively on the studs l2and lt.

Preferably the wires 73 of the cables are received in U-shaped bodies 8|on the studs 'l2 and are held rmly against the edges 82 and 83respectively of substantially V-shaped recesses 84 and 85 respectivelyin upturned flanges 86 and 3l at opposite ends of the bodies by the flatportions li of the test clips and the nuts I8. The usual test links 88of copper are mounted on `the studs l2 and 'i8 andare held in assembledposition by suitable nuts 89 and 90 respectively. Thus, in thisconstruction the current from the cables lll passes through the testclips l0, nuts I8, test-links 88, nuts i9 to the` meter connecter linkslll. Consequently, the nuts 'I8 and test clips 'l0 not only effect amechanical connection, but also an electrical connection as wellwith-the wires i3 of the cables. As a result, the U-shaped bodies 8| maybe formed of steel as they function as holding means or retainers only.In this connection it will be noted that the side walls 9| and 92respectively of the U-shaped bodies hol-d the wires 80 againstspreading, while the V-shaped edge portions 82 and 83 of the upturnedanges 86 and 81 cooperate with the studs l2, side walls 9| and 92 andtest clips 10 to hold the wires 80 against pulling out.

In Figures 17 to 20, inclusive, we have illustrated another modificationin which the U- shaped bodies |00 are formed of conducting material suchas copper' and seat directly upon strap conductors E2 of copper. In thisconstruction the wires V|0| of the cables |02 are received in theU-shapedv bodies and are clamped against the edges |03 and |04respectively of` substantially V-shaped recesses |05 and |06respectively in upturned flanges |01 and |08 at opposite ends of thebodies by the flat portions |09 of test clips ||0 and nuts on the studs||2. Thus, the bodies |00 serve as electric conductors as well asmechanical retainers. As a result, both the nuts I l l and studs II2 maybe formed of steel as they function as securing means only. The termaperture, as used in the appended claims, is intende-d to be given itsbroadest possible interpretationand is meant to include opening, recess,groove, hole, etc.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. In an electric cable connection, the combination of an electric cablemade up of a plurality of strands, a securing stud, a body on said studand provided at diametrically opposite points thereof with aperturesreceiving said cable strands, sai-d strands being divided into twogroups and disposed on opposite sides of said stud, and means adjustableon the .stud for pressing the strands against the edges of saidapertures, said edgesbeing shaped to urge said strands together andabout the stud.

2. A connection for electrical conductors comprising in combination, astranded electric cable, a member supporting said strands, a studextending through said member and dividing said strands into two groups,a member adjustable on said stud to clamp the strands of the cableagainst the rst mentioned member, portions of the first mentioned memberat approximately diametrically opposite sides of said stud being formedto urge the strands of the cable toward each other and about said studwhile the wires are clamped by the second mentioned member.

3. An electric cable connection comprising a stud, a nut adjustablethereon, a cable receiving member on the stud beneath the nut having afiat base and upstanding anges provided with narrowing apertures, thenarrowest portions of said apertures being aligned with the stud, and anelectric cable disposed in said apertures and spanning said member withits strands divided -and disposed on opposite sides of the stud, saidnut clamping the strands against the edges of the apertures.

4. An electric cable connection ycomprising a stud projecting from acurrent carrying member, a member adjustable on the stud, a. cablereceiving element on the stud beneath the adjustable member, and anelectric cable spanning said element beneath the adjustable member withits.

strands divided and disposed on opposite sides of the stud, said elementhaving portions tending y to urge the strands of the cable toward thestud when said strands are pressed by the adjustable member against saidelement.

5. An electric cable connection comprising in being provided withportions crowding the strands toward each other.

6. In an electric cable connection, the combination of an electric cablemade up of a plurality of strands, a conductor, a stud extending fromsaid conductor, a cup-shaped member having a substantially flat basewith an opening therein receiving` said stud and upstanding sidesprovided with opposite grooves aligned with said stud, said strandsbeing disposed in said grooves and divided into two roughly equal groupsplaced on opposite sides of said stud, and means adjustable on the studfor clamping strands against the edges of the grooves, .said edges beingformed to urge the strands together and about said stud under theclamping force exerted by said means.

'7. In an electric cable connection, the combination of an electriccable made up of a plurality of strands, a conductor, a stud extendingfrom said conductor, a body receiving said stud and provided withopposite apertures aligned with the stud and receiving said strands, thestrands being divided on opposite sides of the stud, the edges of theapertures `being shaped to urge the strands together and about the stud,and means adjustable on the stud for pressing the strands against theedges of the apertures, said edges forming the sole support for thestrands under said means.

8. A connection for electrical conductors comprising a strap conductorhaving spaced portions provided with apertures, an electric cabledisposed in said apertures and spanning said spaced portions, a studextending upwardly through said conductor in line with said aperturesand dividing the strands of said cable, and a nut adjustable on the studto clamp the strands against the edges of said apertures, the said edgesof said apertures being inclined to direct the strands toward andagainst the stud when the nut is tightened.

9. A connection for electrical conductors comprising-a stud, a clampingnut adjustable on the stud, and a sleeve for the nut loose on the stud,having openings in opposite sides thereof, and an electric cabledisposed in said openings and spanning said sleeve with its strandsdivided and disposed upon opposite sides of said stud beneath the nut,the edges of said openings being so formed that the strands uponopposite sides of the stud will be urged together about said stud whenthe nut is tightened.

` 10. A connection for electrical conductors comprising a studattachable to a current carrying member, a clamping nut adjustable onthe stud, and a, substantially U-shaped member having its base on thestud beneath the nut and having openings in the upstanding sidesthereof, and an electric cable disposed in said openings and spanningsaid member with its strands divided and disposed upon opposite sides ofsaid stud beneath the nut, the edges of said openings being so formedthat the strands upon opposite sides of the stud will be urged togetherwhen the nut is tightened. f

JOHN G. JACKSON. WALLACE T. ALLEN.

